Study to upgrade existing MD 5 to a multi-lane freeway from US 301 interchange at T.B. to north of I-95/I-495 Capital Beltway (10.5 miles). Bicycles and pedestrians will be accommodated where appropriate.

Scope:

The purpose of the MD 5 project, between US 301 at T.B. and I-95/I-495, is to facilitate safe and efficient traffic flow while providing cost-effective transportation infrastructure to serve and support existing and future traffic demand, land use planning, and development efforts, while enhancing and facilitating transit services. In order to maintain the integrity of the interstate system, the study must also consider the potential impacts to I-95/I-495 when improving traffic operations along northbound MD 5, as well as impacts to the proposed new interchange affecting MD 5 and US 301 at T.B.

MD 5 is functionally classified as an Urban Freeway/Expressway north of MD 373 and as a Rural Other Principal Arterial south of MD 373 on the Federal Functional Classification System within the project limits.

What is under study:

ALTERNATIVES DESCRIPTION

ALTERNATIVE 1 - No BuildNo major improvements, Minor short term improvements would occur as part of normal maintenance and safety projects. This alternative served as a baseline for comparing the impacts and benefits associated with other alternatives.

ALTERNATIVE 3 – Expressway Upgrade South of MD 223Alternative 3 would convert the remaining at-grade intersections into grade-separated interchanges and provide three through lanes in each direction throughout the entire corridor.

ALTERNATIVE 4 – Expressway Upgrade Entire Corridor This alternative would incorporate all of the improvements from Alternative 3. This alternative would also have four through lanes in each direction from north of Coventry Way to I 95/I 495.

Express Toll Lanes help ease the impact of congestion by providing transportation improvements decades sooner than could otherwise be achieved, offering Marylanders an alternative to spending valuable time sitting in traffic, and facilitating sustainable travel options for the State.

ALTERNATIVE 5 – Two-Lane Reversible ETLThis alternative would convert the remaining at-grade intersections into grade-separated interchanges. In addition, two new reversible express toll lanes (ETL) would be provided in the median with access only allowed at select locations.

ALTERNATIVE 6 – One to Two Lane ETLThis alternative would convert the remaining at-grade intersections into grade-separated interchanges. North of MD 223, this alternative would provide one additional ETL per direction and it would convert one existing general purpose lane per direction to an ETL. South of MD 223, this alternative would provide one additional ETL per direction and keep the existing two lanes per direction as general purpose lanes.

ALTERNATIVE 7 – Movable Barrier ETLThis alternative would convert the remaining at-grade intersections into grade-separated interchanges. North of MD 223, in the morning this alternative would provide one additional northbound ETL and convert one existing general purpose lane to an ETL. Southbound traffic would continue to have three general purpose lanes. In the evening, this alternative would provide one additional southbound ETL and convert one existing general purpose lane to an ETL. Northbound traffic would continue to have three general purpose lanes. The Transition from the morning period to the evening period would be made with a movable barrier. South of MD 223, one reversible ETL would be added in the median.

ALTERNATIVE 8 – HOVThe remaining at-grade intersections would be converted into grade-separated interchanges. This alternative would widen MD 5 with one additional lane to the inside in each direction along the whole corridor. This additional lane would be designated as a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane.

INTERCHANGE OPTIONSCapital Beltway (I-95/I-495) Access Ramps:This interchange would provide direct access ramps for the ETL/HOV/General Purpose lanes to access MD 5 and the Capital Beltway. The design of these ramps would take into consideration the future plans of the Capital Beltway as well as the interchange modifications currently under construction for the MD 5/Capital Beltway interchange.

Woodyard Road (MD 223) Direct Access Ramps:This interchange would provide direct access ramps between the MD 5 inside lanes and MD 223. One ramp would be provided for the southbound MD 5 traffic to access MD 223. A second ramp would be provided for traffic to access MD 5 northbound from MD 223. Access to the parking lot at MD 5/MD 223 would also be provided.

Surratts Road Interchange – Option AThe intersection of Surratts Road and MD 5 is currently an at-grade intersection with traffic signals. This option would create a grade separated interchange. Surratts Road would bridge over MD 5. Option A would be a Modified Diamond Interchange similar to what was selected from the 1988 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). Surratts Road would be slightly shifted to the north of the existing intersection. Ramps would be included for each movement to and from MD 5. Other improvements would include removing the existing “S” curve on Surratts Road and would also provide a second entrance to the Southern Maryland Hospital Center.

Surratts Road Interchange – Option BOption B would be a Diamond Interchange with Surratts Road bridging over MD 5. The bridge would be placed where the existing intersection is located. Ramps would be included for each movement to and from MD 5. This interchange is proposed at the existing intersection and would require construction of a temporary intersection while the structure is built. Other improvements would include removing the existing “S” curve on Surratts Road and would also provide a second entrance to the Southern Maryland Hospital Center.

Moores Road/Earnshaw Drive/Burch Hill Road Interchange – Option AToday, Moores Road and Earnshaw Drive are both at-grade intersections with MD 5. Option A would create a modified diamond interchange between the two existing intersections. This new interchange would have a bridge over MD 5 with ramps to access all directions of MD 5. Option A has two different sub-options, Options A1 and A2.

Moores Road/Earnshaw Drive/Burch Hill Road Interchange – Option BOption B would also be a grade separated interchange located between the two existing intersections. Two-way service roads would be constructed parallel along both northbound and southbound MD 5 between Moores Road and Earnshaw Drive. A bridge would be built over MD 5 connecting the two service roads. Vehicles would use the service roads and bridge to access both directions along MD 5.